BepiColombo towards Mercury: the mission in the crucial phase

Context

In a nutshell

• The BepiColombo mission is about to enter the crucial phase of insertion into the orbit of Mercury
• ESA and JAXA launched the mission in October 2018
• Mercury's orbit is scheduled for November 21

Key facts

• What: Insertion into the orbit of Mercury
• When: October 2018 (launch), November 21 (orbit)
• Where: Mercury
• Who: ESA and JAXA
• Amount: 10 billion kilometres travelled

After eight years of travel and more than 10 billion kilometers traveled, the BepiColombo mission is entering the most delicate phase of its long journey to Mercury, the smallest and least known of the planets in the Solar System. The joint mission of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) will begin an unprecedented exploration of the planet closest to the Sun in April. The European probe MPO (Mercury Planet Orbiter) will study Mercury from just 480 kilometers above sea level, while the Japanese probe Mio will analyze its space environment and magnetic field following an elliptical orbit that will take it up to 11,000 kilometers from the surface. The University of Bern is also actively involved in the project, having led the creation of two scientific instruments: the Strofio mass spectrometer, intended to analyse Mercury's thin atmosphere, and the Bela laser altimeter, which will allow three-dimensional images of the planet's surface to be obtained.

📊 Data

Operational details

The crucial phase of orbital insertion

Before starting the data collection, however, BepiColombo must face a complex phase of orbital insertion. According to the ESA, this is a series of high-risk operations, made particularly difficult by the extreme conditions of Mercury, where temperatures oscillate between -180 and 450 degrees Celsius and solar radiation is particularly intense. The Bela probe, developed by the University of Bern, was sent into space in 2018 and is now preparing for its crucial mission. The separation of the two probes from the transfer module was a fundamental milestone achieved successfully, with the two probes separating autonomously from the spacecraft. The ESA confirmed the success of the operation, which took almost two hours to communicate due to the distance of approximately 200 million kilometers from Earth.

📊 Technical and operational data The BepiColombo mission, a joint project of the ESA and the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA), has an estimated cost of 1.8 billion euros. The Bela probe, developed by the University of Bern, weighs approximately 110 kilograms and has a diameter of 1.5 meters. The orbital insertion phase is scheduled for December 2025, after a seven-year journey.

💡 Survival strategies To face the extreme conditions of Mercury, BepiColombo is equipped with an advanced thermal protection system, which includes a ceramic thermal shield and an active cooling system. Additionally, the probe is equipped with an autonomous navigation system, which allows it to correct its course without direct intervention from operators on Earth.

⚠️ Risks and challenges One of the main risks of the mission is the possible emission of dust from the surface of Mercury, which could damage the probe's sensors. Additionally, intense solar radiation could affect the operation of electronic instruments. To mitigate these risks, scientists have developed emergency protocols that include the temporary suspension of operations and the restart of systems only after verifying their integrity.

🌍 Swiss context Switzerland plays a crucial role in the BepiColombo mission, with the University of Bern contributing to the development of the Bela probe. Additionally, Switzerland is an important center for space research, with the presence of companies such as RUAG Space, which has provided components for the mission. Switzerland is also a founding member of the ESA, contributing with 220 million euros per year to the agency's budget.

📊 Comparison with other missions The BepiColombo mission is similar to other space missions, such as the Mariner 10 mission of the '70s, which provided the first detailed images of Mercury. However, BepiColombo is the first mission to study Mercury with advanced instruments and for an extended period, thanks to a stable orbit and an advanced thermal protection system.

💡 Future prospects The BepiColombo mission has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of Mercury and the solar system. The data collected could provide new information on the formation of the planet and its evolution, as well as the effects of solar radiation and dust on the surface. Additionally, the mission could open new opportunities for space research, with Switzerland continuing to play a key role in the sector.

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Key points

What to do to follow the BepiColombo mission

To follow the latest news about the BepiColombo mission and unpublished images of Mercury, you can consult ESA's official website here. ESA has also published a detailed article on the unpublished images of the planet closest to the Sun here. To learn more about the mission and its scientific implications, you can consult the University of Bern website here.

The BepiColombo mission, a joint project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan's JAXA, is one of the most ambitious ever undertaken for the study of Mercury. The spacecraft, consisting of two separate probes, was launched on 20 October 2018 from the Kourou Space Centre in France. After a seven-year journey, the probe entered orbit around Mercury on December 5, 2025, after a series of energy absorption maneuvers and course corrections.

📊 Key Mission Facts: Cost: Approximately €1.8 billion, funded by 22 ESA member countries.

• Duration: The main mission is planned for two years, with the possibility of extension.
• Probes: The European probe, MPO (Mercury Planetary Orbiter), and the Japanese probe, MMO (Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter), will operate in synergy.

💡 Critical stages of the mission: 1.

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